There are many who will consider art a secondary discipline in the education of children. However, at Madre Hoy we think it is an elementary discipline that contributes to proper sensory, motor, cognitive, and emotional development. And it is that the importance of art in education child is greater than we usually estimate.
The benefits of art in the education of the little ones are numerous. In addition, even if we are not willing to recognize them, art is an activity that prepares them for others that we often classify as more "useful" and in a playful way. What child does not sing, dance, draw and build almost naturally when he is little?
The benefits
The lack of artistic activities can limit the social and even academic abilities of the kids. But why look at what could happen if these activities and not focus on the many benefits that directly or indirectly provide the little ones?
Children in their early years play, sing, dance, act, draw and create naturally. And they do it as one more form of expression. And it is that these activities are a great ally in their emotional development, but also sensory, motor and cognitive. Let's analyze one by one its benefits, which are many:
- Art allows them to have a greater knowledge and empathy towards different cultures to own
- instills in them a respect for different aesthetic values. In other words, it accepts and promotes differences in children, trying to instill feelings of trust and security in them.
- It gives them the ability to enjoy different artistic expressions and manifestations, enriching learning and assimilation of abstract concepts thanks to these
- Through music, dance and body expression, children transmit ideas and they externalize feelings that otherwise they do not know or do not wish to express. A very powerful tool if as adults we are able to observe them and interpret their language.
- Artistic activities such as painting, drawing, or sculpture favor and stimulate the development of fine and gross motor skills of the child, which will result in greater control of his body when he grows up.
- They are also a wonderful opportunity for social interaction and for exchange of ideas, opinions and conceptions, without the rigidity that exists in other subjects.
- It provides them with a tool to relax when they feel blocked, showing them in turn different ways to break the blocks.
Ideas to promote art in early childhood
How can we introduce these artistic teachings in early childhood? In schools there isn pedagogical techniques to include art in the academic journey of the little ones. But does it receive enough attention in school curricula? There will always be a debate about this.
Start classes at school with a art appreciation session It has been shown that it prepares children to face more prepared and relaxed tasks or more difficult learning. An educational technique that we could also apply at home, listening to a piece of music, analyzing a specific painting or enjoying a photograph that takes us to other continents and other cultures, before moving on to another more frustrating activity for them. Half an hour when they are little, no more is needed.
It is also interesting to encourage the participation of children in interdisciplinary projects that may involve different subjects or subjects. Theater groups, for example, are a great way to introduce the little ones to art in a playful way.
Listen to music at different times of the day, it is something that children always welcome and that can unite us a lot with them. Discovering new songs that we think they might like, talking about them, their meaning or why they are important to us, strengthen ties.
All the artistic exhibitions They are a way of introducing children to the world of art. You should do that little by little, in exposures that are not too rigid so that they don't get bored. And always willing to leave when they get tired or stop enjoying them. And when there is no opportunity to go to one physically or they are very small, we can always organize one at home, exposing the paintings and works of the whole family in the hallway.
Do you also believe in the importance of art in early childhood education?